Adipose Tissue Dysfunction and Metabolic Diseases: The Role of Vitamin D/Vitamin D Receptor Axis

TL;DR

This review explores how vitamin D and its receptor help regulate fat tissue health and prevent metabolic diseases like diabetes and fatty liver.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of the vitamin D/VDR axis's role in adipose tissue biology and metabolic disease.

Findings

Vitamin D influences adipogenesis, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue.

Genetic variability and tissue-specific VDR signaling affect metabolic outcomes.

Adequate vitamin D levels are important for preventing adipose tissue dysfunction.

Abstract

Obesity-associated adipose tissue dysfunction represents a key driver of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and fatty liver disease. Emerging evidence highlights the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VD/VDR) axis as an important regulator of adipose tissue homeostasis. Beyond its classical role in mineral metabolism, vitamin D influences adipogenesis, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity, thereby modulating systemic metabolic health. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the VD/VDR axis in adipose tissue biology, from molecular pathways controlling lipid turnover and immune responses to experimental and clinical evidence linking vitamin D status with obesity-related complications. We also discuss the role of genetic variability and tissue-specific VDR signaling in shaping metabolic outcomes. While results from supplementation trials remain inconsistent, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels appears crucial for the prevention of adipose tissue dysfunction and its cardiometabolic consequences. Future studies are warranted to define optimal strategies for harnessing the VD/VDR axis in therapeutic approaches to obesity and metabolic disease.

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